Assistant Director - Leasing Operations

Overview

Tufts University seeks an experienced real‑estate professional to serve as Assistant Director, Leasing Operations. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Operations and working closely with the Senior Director of Real Estate, the role focuses on lease negotiation, process improvement, and systems building to create efficiencies across the university’s campuses.

This one‑year, benefits‑eligible position is based in Medford and requires three on‑site days per week. The role may become permanent based on performance.

The Assistant Director, Leasing Operations will be Tufts University’s primary resource for real‑estate leasing, managing day‑to‑day operations and enabling senior leadership to advance strategic initiatives.

• Lead and execute leasing transactions where Tufts acts as landlord and tenant, including negotiations, coordination with legal counsel, documentation, and approvals.
• Serve as the central point of coordination among Campus Planning, Facilities, Finance, Legal, and academic units to ensure timely actions and compliance with standards.
• Establish reliable workflows, templates, and documentation systems for lease management; maintain data integrity, version control, and reporting cadence in the university’s contract database.
• Manage renewals, amendments, terminations, and closeouts; coordinate space transitions with Facilities and technology teams.
• Prepare materials for governance approvals and ensure purchasing steps (POs) are executed per policy.
• Collaborate with Finance on budgeting, projections, and payment schedules related to leasing.
• Identify and implement process improvements that streamline leasing operations and support broader institutional initiatives.
• Act as an advisor to schools and departments, helping scope space needs and translate them into actionable lease requirements.
• Coordinate with external legal counsel on lease negotiations and risk management, applying best practices when in‑house counsel is unavailable.
• Oversee lease documentation and compliance processes, including contract database integrity, governance approvals, and reporting cadence; implement workflows that improve efficiency and decision support.
• Apply systems‑thinking and comfort navigating ambiguity to design templates and processes that bring clarity and efficiency in an evolving environment.

• Bachelor’s degree in real estate, business, finance, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in commercial/institutional real‑estate leasing and contract negotiation.
• Hands‑on expertise in lease and contract negotiation, review, documentation, administration, and project management.
• Ability to operate independently in a dynamic environment with strong collaboration skills.
• Adaptation of industry best practices to settings with constraints and limitations.

• Master’s degree or JD.
• Experience in higher education or institutional settings.
• Familiarity with Boston‑area commercial real‑estate markets.
• Background in process improvement and systems thinking.

• Lead through influence and coordinate across decentralized stakeholders.
• Implement process improvements and build systems for contract tracking and reporting.
• Work comfortably in ambiguity and establish clarity through workflows and templates.
• Manage multiple leases and deadlines simultaneously with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficient use of contract management tools and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, SharePoint, etc.).

To receive full consideration, applicants should apply online and include a resume and a brief cover letter addressing:

• Your interest in this role and why it aligns with your experience.

• A high‑level summary of your experience with lease negotiations and contract management.

• Any experience improving processes or systems related to leasing or contract administration.

Minimum $96,500.00, Midpoint $, Maximum $. Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.